Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security income (SSI) benefits has always been a complicated process. Like everything else in the world, COVID-19 has made the disability evaluation process even more difficult. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you navigate the SSDI and SSI benefits process as efficiently and quickly as possible during the pandemic.
- Don’t wait to apply.
The biggest mistake that people make when applying for SSDI and/or SSI benefits is putting off applying for benefits. Currently, there are over a half a million individulas waiting for a decision at the initial application level, where it takes three to five months to receive a decision. About 2/3rds of these individuals are denied at the initial application level. This leads to longer wait times at reconsideration and hearing appeal levels. Unfortunately, the average wait time for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) is over a year.
- Work with an expert disability lawyer.
The SSDI and SSI application and appeals process can require months to years before receiving a decision from Social Security, depending on the details and complexity of the case. Making a mistake can be costly and could cost you your disability benefits. Fortunately, at the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek, we know the ins and outs of the disability process. We devote our legal practice to only handling disability cases and have done so for over 25 years. We can guide you through the disability process and help you to determine whether you are likely to qualify before you apply for benefits. Our law firm can potentially help shorten the time it takes to get approved for disability benefits by: Collecting and submitting detailed and accurate information required by the SSA; communicating with SSA on your behalf; Identifying facets of your case that are specific to your claim; providing medical evidence that Social Security needs to properly evaluate your case; and by monitoring the status of your claim and appeal.
At the Disability and Injury Law Offices of David R. Machek, we strive to achieve a quicker path to approval of your disability claim. This avoids an appeal, and results in a lower attorney’s fee. For more information about our law firm, please view our website at: disabilitylawpa.com or call us at Jenkintown 215-385-5353 or Philadelphia 215-323-5320.